Vitellus
/wɪˈtɛləs/noun
A Latin word meaning a calf; also the source of the scientific term for yolk in biology.
Did you know?Vitellus is a diminutive of Latin vitulus, so the yolk term is literally tied to the same ancient root as words for calves and cattle, not to eggs themselves.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wet-
“A proposed ancient root connected with a year-old calf or young animal”
Latin
Latin
vitulus
“Calf, young bull”
Late Latin
Latin
vitellus
“Little calf; also used in learned contexts for yolk”
Medieval Latin
Latin
vitellum
“Egg yolk, especially in scientific and medical writing”
Modern English
English
vitellus
“The yolk of an egg, especially in zoology and biology”